Daeijan Napoleon and Legacy in Iranian Television
One of Karimi’s most memorable roles was in the television series Daeijan Napoleon, where he played “Aghajan.” Though he initially wanted to portray “Mesh Qasem,” he suggested actors such as Gholamhossein Naghshineh, Khairollah Tafreshi Azad, and Mir Ahmad Irvanloo for the series. His performance remains iconic in Iranian television history.
Persecution After the Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 dramatically altered Karimi’s career. Due to the content of Mahalel, he was banned from working in cinema and spent several months in prison. During the Iranian Cultural Revolution, he faced severe punishment, including a sentence to have his hand amputated and execution for his involvement in filmmaking. However, his widespread popularity and lack of political affiliation ultimately spared him from the harshest penalties. Instead, he was given a lifetime ban from working in Iranian cinema.
Despite his forced departure from the film industry, Karimi chose to remain in Iran and continued his artistic pursuits in other ways.